Latest news with #SkyRacingAU
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Matt Smith to saddle up Fioprospero at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday
Saturday shapes as an important day in the career of staying prospect Fioprospero at Rosehill Gardens. A son of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente, Fioprospero only joined the team of trainer Matt Smith at the start of his current preparation and he's done nothing but please his trainer. 'I went through his form and watched his tapes when I got him, my first thoughts were he'll stay this horse, and he looks like a stayer,' Smith said. 'The more we've done with him the more he's impressed me. 'I like him as a horse. He's a good style of a horse, got a good brain on him and he's always worked well.' Fioprospero heads into his upcoming assignment off an unlucky second at the same track over 2000 metre three weeks ago. This time the four-year-old gelding steps up to the 2400m trip for the first time in his career when he tackles the Mostyn Coopper Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m). Natural Deduction holds off Fioprospero to win for @JohnOSheaRacing and @ZacLloydx at Canterbury! ðŸ'¨ @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 18, 2025 'He's going great,' Smith said. 'You never know until they do it but he gives me every indication he's going to run the trip. 'Last start he was badly held up in the straight, lost momentum but when he got into the clear he closed off so to be able to pick himself up, dust himself off and still find the line is a good indicator he might get further. 'This is the right race to try.' Fioprospero is an $8.50 chance with while his last start conqueror Good Banter is the $4.40 favourite. 'If he shows us he can run the mile and a half on Saturday, it's going to open up plenty more options for the horse going forward,' he said. 'He has the makings of being a nice horse for the stable in the new season.' Fioprospero makes it two wins in a row at Eagle Farm! 2ï¸�⃣ @baileywheeler05 | @mcsmithracing | @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 Meanwhile, Smith also revealed his big spring hopefuls Headwater and Waltham have returned to work as they continue to build towards their spring campaigns. Headwater has The Everest aspirations and the plan is to resume in the at Royal Randwick on September 6 while Waltham is chasing a berth in the Melbourne Cup.
News.com.au
31-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Coffs Harbour preview: Wet conditions and home track advantage can help Ostracised in his Cup bid
Ostracised, once touted a Kosciuszko horse, could in fact be a Big Dance horse if he can deliver a hometown boilover in the Coffs Harbour Cup. Apart from its prestige and a whopping $150,000 purse, the added incentive of Big Dance Eligibility has drawn together a first class field of New South Wales, Queensland and Canberra housed gallopers. So deep is this year's Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) that Ostracised went up as a $51 shot. A mission which his part owner and trainer Donna Grisedale acknowledges is a difficult one but not impossible. 'I wouldn't put him in it if I didn't think he would run a decent race,' Grisedale said. 'Home track, wet track, good barrier, he has got a few things in his favour but there are some outstanding city-class horses in the race. Ostracised claims the Maclean Cup! ðŸ�† â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 20, 2025 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'He has gone up 19 points in two runs so I have kind of been forced into these sort of situations with him.' One of those benchmark accruing performances came as a result of Ostracised's emphatic on-pace win in the Maclean Cup (1425m). What made the gelding's victory all the more important; the outcome - and the manner of it - was inspiration enough for a tilt at the Cup. That said, Ostracised running a mile is not something anyone would have expected, least of all Grisedale herself. 'We only had him down as a 1000m, 1100m horse completely and then everything just sort of changed because he was just getting run off his legs,' she said. 'So we just stepped him up 1100m to 1200m and it has just gone from there. 'He was strong through the line (in the Maclean Cup) so 1600m is certainly worth a try. 'Six is a good barrier for him, he should be up there on the speed for sure.' Grisedale will also have a runner in the co-feature Daniel Baker Showcase Sprint (1200m), namely Bow. Ostracised wins the Woolgoolga Diggers Cup! ðŸ�† @mallyon_andrew â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 20, 2025 A son of Black Caviar's sire, Bel Esprit, Bow will require a further upgrade in the track it seems to have any chance of capturing the time-honoured annual event. 'He hasn't drawn too bad and again the home track is always good for him,' Grisedale said. 'It is a suitable race for him, it's just that it is going to be wet.' The Coffs Harbour Cup Day meeting coincides with the start of the new season. Grisedale is rightfully looking forward to what the stable's raw but talented now four-year-old Piedi Veloci can deliver in the Rob Young Country Boosted Showcase Maiden Plate (1400m) and throughout 2025/26 up to an including even the Country Championships. 'He is going to go out after Friday's run and I dare say he will come back a more furnished horse and certainly a lot more switched on and hopefully not doing so many things wrong,' says Grisedale. 'He just needs to mature. 'He'd have to win a couple of races and he is certainly capable of doing that so if he can come back and put one or two wins together (the Country Championships) would be ideal for him.' â– â– â– â– â– The weather, the weight and the lure of a crack at a $3 million race on the first Tuesday in November are the three reasons why It's A Knockout will be at Coffs Harbour and not at Rosehill this weekend. The Ciaron Maher -trained It's A Knockout is a red-hot favourite for both her city and country (proposed) missions off the back of a booming first-up win at Royal Randwick followed by her honourable third there at her subsequent start. While the daughter of Triple Crown winner Dundeel will have a 1000km round trip on the first day of the new season, it could pay off in spades both in the immediacy and later in the year, November 4 to be exact. 'It's a business decision,' said Dean Watt, the founder of Dynamic Syndications, who bought the stakes-placed mare at the Gold Coast for $150,000 as a yearling. 'First of all, we have got one eye on the weather but that's not the be all and end all however, whether Rosehill gets all-the-way through on Saturday is a question mark. It's A Knockout KO's them first up at Randwick! 🥊 @cmaherracing @NockBraith @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 'And Coffs (Harbour) at this stage has only had a sprinkle of rain that Sydney has had so you know the races are going to go on up there.' Watt, who has won a Golden Slipper and a Blue Diamond (among other features), was also keen to shield It's A Knockout from any potential huge rise in her benchmark rating should she have won in Sydney on the weekend. 'The Coffs Harbour Cup is Big Dance eligible and if you don't win it but you run second, you're Little Dance eligible,' he added. 'And there is only six grands worth of difference (between Rosehill and Coffs Harbour). 'Her benchmark is still going to go up but the horse becomes eligible to run in a $3 million or $1 million race.' The 2024/25 season concludes the 20th season that the ubiquitous Dynamic Syndications silks have been worn (including in this year's Everest). Watt's clients shared in 61 winners for the season, 20 of them city winners, taking his firm's overall tally close to 1000. In that time, Dynamic horses have returned a 90 per cent winners to runners while a phenomenal 98.1 per cent of the string earned prizemoney.
News.com.au
25-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Mitch Cohen, Shayne O'Cass tips and analysis for Royal Randwick on Saturday
Racing writers Mitch Cohen and Shayne O'Cass present their race-by-race tips and analysis for the 10-race meeting at Royal Randwick on Saturday. MITCH'S BEST BET Race 10 No.6 PUNTIN MITCH'S BEST VALUE Race 8 No.7 THE BLACK CLOUD SHAYNO'S BEST BET Race 8 No.4 CIGAR FLICK SHAYNO'S BEST VALUE Race 9 No.10 RANTAN â– â– â– â– â– Shayne O'Cass: We should start by pointing out the rail placement for the day; 11m out from the 1000m to the winning post; 8m the remainder. What effect that has, if any at all, will become evident pretty early on. For the record in the first I am eager to see how NAZWAH (7) makes the transition from Gosford to Randwick. Nazwah is out of a very good filly who has turned into a very good broodmare namely Najoom who has already thrown stakes-winners Charm Stone and Najmaty and the way this filly might get to black-type herself. Mitch Cohen: On speed could be the place to be with the rail where it is but we will wait a couple of races to see how it plays out. I am with NAZWAH (7) too. Interesting to hear Peter Snowden say her debut win took him a bit by surprise. It was a very impressive performance and I doubt she will be getting under anyone's guard on the weekend. SHAGGY (1) has to be a chance if he can replicate his early two-year-old form. It wasn't so long ago that he was a hot favourite in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes and a genuine Golden Slipper prospect. Wow, look at Nazwah go! 😮 An impressive win to the @SnowdenRacing1 - trained filly at @gosford_races with @tomo_sherry in the saddle! ðŸ'¨ @EmiratesPark — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 10, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: KINGSTON CHARM (2) is indeed a member of David Hains' epic family that delivered the fastest Melbourne Cup winner ever, Kingston Rule. As for Kingston Charm, she is much more a miler than a two-miler; and make that a 'Randwick Miler' Nosey Parker is known for getting back and charging late mostly in 1200m races but he actually ran a pretty respectable race at Wyong at his only 1600m run when Willie Pike rode him. CALLISTEMON (9) is the obvious, SUNSOURCE (8) might be the value at $7 the place. Mitch: We are in agreement again. I thought KINGSTON CHARM (2) was desperately unlucky not to win the other day and she finds herself in a very similar race here. She's ready for a peak performance third-up. CALLISTEMON (9) is another one that didn't have a lot go her way the other day. She's a chance but the outside draw could make things ugly. FORECASTER (3) is drawn to get every possible on speed. Charmed! Kingston Charm takes out the opener at Randwick today! @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 9, 2024 • â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: Typhoon Tracy relation IN SUMMER (6) has three wins, three seconds and a third from eight starts. She was third last start in a Highway here but was, IMHO, the moral victor. The two that beat her had all the favours whereas he had none. A lot of that goes for RED RAGS TO BULLS (7) too who was fifth in that on-pace Highway. How could those two NOT run 1800m? OFF THE SCALE (8) has already won over 'the Tchaikovsky distance' (1812m) by four then won at Scone by three over 1700m. Mitch: IN SUMMER (6) went straight in the blackbook following her strong third in a Highway race at a mile last time. She has never been tried at the 1800m but off that last run you'd expect her to lap it up. RED RAGS TO BULLS (7) is a descendant of an SA Oaks runner-up so the 1800m could prove right up her alley too. Matt Dunn can never be discounted in a Highway either so FULL OF SINCERITY (2) deserves respect. He's dropping back 430m in trip but this is significantly easier than a Grafton Cup. • Big Dance lure not enough to sway Pfieffer â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: CODETTA (1) has been most unlucky this preparation Mitchy, You could make a sane case to argue that this half-sister to Riff Rocket could have won any or all of her three starts this time in but for wide barriers and track bias and so on. Barrier 4 this time, 2kgs off, even luck she wins IMHO. Could it be the same trifecta as the July 5 race here with GOLDEN STRAAND (8) (runner-up that day) and DIDDLE DUMPLING (2) (who won) both fronting up again? Sure can. Outside of those, one has to acknowledge that SIGNOR TORTONI (3) is on a hat-trick. Mitch: GLORIOUS MOMENTS (6) has been given a month to get over his excellent first-up success at Canterbury. The smart son of Brutal hadn't raced for 59 weeks heading into that and should be advantaged by the added break between runs. He's untapped. STARDEEL (4) deserves consideration on the strength of his consistent preparation. The 1300m looks ideal for him now. SIGNOR TORTONI (3) is going through his grades nicely and should be competitive again. “I think he is the best horse we've had for a long while.â€� Co-trainer Greg Lee believes Glorious Moments can deliver on that high opinion when he turns out on home turf at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Story: @MitchRWCohen ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) July 24, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: In case you forgot Mitchy, I was declaring RUBY FLYER (1) first-up in the Winter Stakes but the fact that he was $41 to $51 suggested that she would need the run. The long and short of it was that he was 11th of 13 but only beaten six-lengths and I thought he ran through the line with purpose. Loves the 1600m and loves Randwick. One has to be (totally) forgiving of Big Dance placegetter SUPER HELPFUL (2) first-up given he bombed the start. OH DIAMOND LIL (4) is bombproof. Mitch: No one could doubt your loyalty Shayno! I found it impossible to go around OH DIAMOND LIL (4). I know David Pfieffer was considering the Coffs Harbour Cup but with the rail out, this looks like an ideal race for her. She will settle close to the speed and I am tipping she will be too hard to run down. ABERLOUR (9) is another one that will find herself on speed and was good doing it from out in front over 1800m last time. RUBY FLYER (1) is best of the rest. She's back on the winners list! ðŸ'� Jason Collett lifts Oh Diamond Lil over the line to take out race 8 at Randwick! @DavidPfieffer — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 12, 2025 • Thompson has strong hand to cap off outstanding season â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: Tasmanian Oaks runner-up VERY SEWREEL (9) was my Black Booker from the July 12 meeting here even though she ran ninth of 13. That was her first run for Bjorn Baker but she is familiar with HQ given she came from Waterhouse/Bott. Terrible bias on the day, she has to be marked 'up' for what was an already honourable return over 1400m; 1800m this time. Boom. SHE'S UNUSUAL (5) is a last start track/distance winner. Nettoyer's little (half) sister CHANGING COLOURS (7) had no chance with the bias here two weeks back. Mitch: SHE'S UNUSUAL (5) won't get the same luxury out in front that she was afforded last start but she can win again. She gets a great draw to settle close to the speed and only has to carry a kilo more after Ben Osmond's 2kg claim. PIGGYBACK (8) has been a tad frustrating in recent starts but hasn't had a lot of luck either. She is at peak fitness and will be in the mix again. BRIGHT RED (10) is a consistent mare but doesn't win all the often. She's nice... unusual! She's Unusual wins in style for @JohnOSheaRacing with @TommyBerry21 in the saddle! 🤩 @aus_turf_club @OTIRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 21, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: Not sure if GENTLY ROLLED (7) turns up on Saturday or is saved for another day given the wide draw and the rail placement. The brief version from last start is 'beaten by the bias'. UNSTOPABULL (6) 's trainer Chris Waller mastered the art of the back-up a long time ago Mitchy. The stats say he has an 18.2 per cent winning strike-rate with horses backing up within 7 days and that increases to 46.6 per cent when placings are added. One more thing, Unstopabull had no luck last weekend. Mitch: SACRED ROCKS (4) would be odds on if she drew a gate. She's the clear class runner and only needs to overcome another wide draw here. I am convinced she is a stakes quality mare and she's unlucky not to be three from three this preparation. DRIFT NET (9) is drawn to get on speed favours from barrier one. She is going to be the one the favourite needs to catch. UNSTOPABULL (6) will run his typical race and be the best of the closers. Sacred Rocks storms home on the outside to win the last at Rosehill! 🚀 @CMaherRacing @djgibbons22 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: We all use the term 'unlucky' a lot, sometimes too much Mitchy but seriously, how unlucky was CIGAR FLICK (4) the other day! I know she is not everyone's cup of tea, for some she is poison, but honestly and truly, if the best Cigar Flick shows up, she has to be in the finish. STORM THE RAMPARTS (1) is '211212' this preparation, and I'm tipping Cigar Flick! The world's gone mad! But one last time and if she gets rolled this time with no good reason, it's goodbye. Mitch: I think THE BLACK CLOUD (7), albeit it not a huge price, still present some nice value around the $6 quote. She is a model of consistency with two close seconds already to her name this prep. If the rain hits Sydney, that's only going to help her cause. BUNDEENA (11) looked the winner a long way out first-up. He will be poised pounce from a good draw. STORM THE RAMPARTS (1) has to go in the quaddie. He's flying and has shown big weights are no concern. The Black Cloud wins and wins well for punters in the last! @ProvenTbreds @PrideRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 17, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: RANTAN (10) has been incredibly unlucky (there's that word again) this whole three start campaign. Unless this rail placement spoils it for backmarkers, I am working on the wide barrier being favourable, or at very least, not disadvantageous to her winning prospects. APACHE BREEZE (18) is $9 the place which is an inviting price about a horse in form and nearing a win. Like him at Randwick with its big straight. Mitch: I went looking for a different angle away from the favourites and landed on RANTAN (10) too. She will need the likes of ZOURIPPER (15) and REGIMENTAL COLOURS (12) to set a genuine tempo up front to get her chance but if she gets clear air late, she will be finishing strong. CASSIEL (3) is racing well and his racing pattern should help him negate the wide draw. He's got the form man Tom Sherry aboard too. LORDSTER (7) is a cheeky hope at double figures. Rantan loops the field to win Race 4 at Warwick Farm for @RonQuinton! — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 18, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– Shayno: KING RATEL (9) is perhaps not a guaranteed starter given the draw, but he is on top for me if he comes otherwise it is as open as the Heads – like all good Get Out Stakes should be. Maybe MIRACLE SPIN (3)? Encouraged by the trial. TRAVOLTA (5) wants 1800m now, big time. PUNTIN (6) just keeps on running good races and is 'Bjorn in the last!' Mitch: Saving the best to last Shayno and that's PUNTIN (6). This bloke couldn't run a bad race if he tried, running second, first and second this prep. He has been well prepared for a crack at 1800m here. Provided he avoids another slow getaway, I think he's going to take a power of beating. MIRACLE SPIN (3) is an interesting runner. Matt Smith has wasted no time, going first-up over 1800m. He's raced well and the same track and trip before. The Waller pair of PURE ALPHA (7) and KAZALARK (11) are in the mix.
News.com.au
05-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Racing Confidential: Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Wayne Harris recovers from spinal surgery
Wayne Harris, the former champion jockey and popular Sky Thoroughbred Central form expert, is recovering slowly after another major spinal surgery. Harris has had ongoing health issues for some years and been forced to undergo many operations. But he has repeatedly shown remarkable courage to continually overcome his health setbacks. His many friends in the racing industry are hoping he returns to the racetrack very soon. A naturally gifted jockey, Harris won the 1979 Golden Slipper while still an apprentice on Century Miss and later in his career rode Jeune to win the 1994 Melbourne Cup before increasing weight and health problems forced him into retirement. My thoughts to former Jockey Wayne Harris - notably missing from last few weeks covering @kemblaraces - @SkyRacingAU - hopefully he shows improvement soon and we see him back being involved with the Racing he knows and loves. @skyjasonwitham — Anne Munsie (@munsieanne) June 3, 2025 • â– â– â– â– â– MICHAEL Wood, Royal Randwick 's respected track manager, is now in charge of Sydney's four racetracks, effectively immediately. Wood, who has held senior roles at Canterbury and Royal Randwick before taking on the track manager role at headquarters in 2019, said he is 'excited to join with the teams' at ATC's four racetracks – Randwick, Rosehill Warwick Farm and Canterbury. 🚨TAB Track Report 🚨 The latest at Royal Randwick ahead of Bob Charley AO Stakes Day. @racing_nsw | @tabcomau | @SkyRacingAU | @7horseracing 🎟ï¸�Tickets: â›…ï¸� Weather Tracker: — Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) June 5, 2025 • Randwick Turf Talk: Saturday's best bet has a Contemporary feel 'The four tracks all have their points of difference and their own challenges,'' Wood said. 'For example, Warwick Farm has 800-odd horses in training so there's a massive focus on the training tracks there. 'I'm looking forward to the role and getting out to the other tracks more regularly. I think it also shows the ATC's commitment to providing quality racetracks and training surfaces.'' ATC's Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani confirmed Wood's appointment on Thursday. 'Michael has a wealth of experience and knowledge around racing and track management, and we are delighted to extend his role,'' Ramdhani said. 'Michael is well respected by his colleagues and the industry, and he will work closely with all of the teams at ATC's four racecourses and five tracks to continue to deliver Sydney's world class racing.'' â– â– â– â– â– PRIVATE Eye, racing's $11.9 million earner, will be the star attraction at the Rosehill barrier trials session on Friday. Trainer Joe Pride elected to trial Private Eye rather than start him in the Group 1 $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14.
News.com.au
06-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Warwick Farm preview: Trainer John Thompson expects Hellbent On You to keep her consistent form going
Trainer John Thompson has plenty of admiration for consistent mare Hellbent On You and expects her to make her presence felt again when she returns to Warwick Farm. The four-year-old mare kicked off her campaign with a strong closing win from Formal at Hawkesbury before returning to metropolitan company with a neck third behind Seascape on the Kensington. Hellbent On You then finished a nose second behind progressive filly Candlewick over 1200m at Warwick Farm on April 16. 'I have been very pleased with her runs this campaign. She is a very reliable mare,' said Thompson. 'As rule, when mares are in form they tend to hold it and she seems to be in good order since her last run.' Candlewick holds the inside and beats Hellbent On You by a whisker at Warwick Farm! ðŸ'Œ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 16, 2025 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! The daughter of Hellbent has drawn barrier 7 in the TAB Handicap (1300m) with top apprentice Braith Nock to continue his association with her. 'Barrier doesn't really matter to her. She is pretty tractable,' he said. 'If she draws wide, she can get back or if she draws well, she can sit closer. Having that versatility helps with her consistency. 'It's a straight run to the corner at Warwick Farm so you can be three-deep. 'Braith is a ripper. He is very good jockey. 'He is getting better all the time because he us having success and he will keep riding winners. 'I'd say he's the leading apprentice this year.' Thompson expects stablemate Clear Proof to bounce back to form in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1300m). The son of Justify caused a boilover on debut when he won at $101 on the Kensington last July and followed up with a second to Gatsby's in the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill. He finished own the track at his next two starts before a spell and a lingering issue has impacted his two runs this time in but Thompson feels he is over that now. 'He needed gelding. His first couple of runs were good but he was very colty,' he said 'We persisted a little bit because he showed ability but in the end, Chad Schofield and Craig Williams both said, he needs gelding. 'Unfortunately, this time in, he pulled a front plate off in his second trial and trod on the toe clip. Clear Proof at any old price! 🤯 That's $126 TAB Fixed Odds... to be precise! @JTRacingRwik and @SchofieldChad with a surprise win in the second at Randwick Kensington. â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 17, 2024 'I thought he was right at Warwick Farm last start. He was sound when he trotted up but under pressure in the race, Nash (Rawiller) said he was still feeling it a bit. 'He wasn't lame or sore but just wasn't giving a hundred per cent. 'He's had another couple of weeks of foot growth and he is right now. I would expect a big improvement from him. Thompson's has two two-year-olds entered for the meeting but is likely to scratch Vingt Neuf Noir from the fillies edition, the Schweppes Plate (1000m) after she drew barrier 13. 'I will probably save her until next week and go to Scone for the Inglis Challenge,' he said. 'She is a really nice filly and one for the black book. 'She has been trialling nicely and will run well when she races but will improve with the more racing she does.' He will saddle up Ellismayne who makes his debut in the colts and geldings division, the Vinnie Three-Time Champion Sire Plate (1000m). 'He's a nice horse. The 1000m might be a bit short for him but he is a horse to follow,' he said 'He always showed that had something but he just needed gelding. 'This is his first preparation as a gelding and you can see the difference in his attitude. He is more professional.' â– â– â– â– â– Having progressed through his country grades in good style, trainer Donna Scott is hoping her talented gelding Villasaurus can take the next step and measure up in town. The lightly-raced four-year-old was a TAB Highway winner at Rosehill last November but faces a stronger opposition when he steps out in the Drinkwise Mile Benchmark 72 (1600m). Villasaurus was impressive winning a Class 3 Handicap at his home track of Albury three weeks ago to earn himself a trip to Sydney. After settling behind the leader, he got a run between horses on straightening and was eased down to score by over a length from Exceedingly Hot. 'We knew if he won it meant he was no longer eligible for Highways but it would give us a mark on where he is at, said Scott. 'He won well and with his rating in the country, we are limited as to what races he can run in. 'Now we will look to set the bar a bit higher and test him hence why he is in a Benchmark 72 in town. Villasaurus with a big win in the opener! Tyler Schiller combines with Donna Scott! @DScottRacing @G1TySchil â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) November 2, 2024 'Obviously, you don't get the Chris Waller horses in Highways where he has five runners in this race. 'We will get another guide on where we are at with him.' The son of Villermont hasn't had much luck go his way this preparation and has been restricted to just two starts since first trialling at Benalla on February 17. He was trapped three-wide without cover when resuming in the SDRA Country Championships Qualifier at Wagga on March 1 where he went down by a length when third to Canny Hell. He was then seven weeks to his next run at Albury after missing the Country Championships Wildcard at Goulburn on March 23. 'Fitness probably just told on him in the end being first-up in the Qualifier,' said Scott. 'If I knew was going to draw the outside barrier, I probably would have given him another barrier trial leading into it. 'I thought we were a chance in the Wildcard but the truck broke down halfway to Goulburn and we missed the race. 'He has had a bit of a muck around preparation but hopefully all the bad luck is behind us now.'
